I have only just noticed that my domain name hoster had wiped out the rules I set up for anything sent to ref@refblog.co.uk.

I’ve sorted it out and apologise to anyone who has tried to email me in recent weeks/months!

E-mail away!!

In a moment of madness weakness, and to support a friend who has been losing some serious weight (7 stones and counting), I have signed up to do the Great Yorkshire Run on September 7th.

Never done any form of endurance activity before so its an interesting experience to go out on the streets and train that way. Can’t say its top of my fun things to do list and my will power is weak, but Im determined to get through it. Im trying to do some weekly long runs (1/2 hour at a stretch) so hopefully with the time issue under my belt, the distance will just sort itself out. No targets on time, I just want to get round with my two running mates and raise some money for charity. We’re running it for The Prostrate Charity, a worthy cause who are helping said mate’s father through a small local difficulty at the moment. Caught early so hopefully all will be well.

Donation via: www.justgiving.com/refblog

Comments and advice in the usual way please!

It’s the National Panel conference this coming weekend so yesterday afternoon, I spent some quality time getting to know the ELVs. As ive said before, I’d taken the deliberate step of avoiding all of them until I had finished the old season and could concentrate on them properly.

I don’t often have cause to praise the authorities, but I was genuinley impressed with the IRB ELV guide (www.irb.com/ELVs) It explains what the intention is and what the new law will read like. Some of the video clips helped me get a feel for what I’m going to see and then the likely answers to the inevitable questions. Think we’re going to be tested by clubs as they try to take advantage of the new areas. Im sure a lot of coaches have spent a lot of time going through them with a fine toothcomb to see what the law will allow them.

But I don’t have many quetsions. For example – some people have raised the question of the defending hooker. The new law says that in formation, they must be 2m off the front of the lineout. Fair enuff. No more “is he in, is he out” problems. But no other elements of law have changed, so in terms of what then happens – no change.  He can join in the maul or do whatever he always used to do, except become a front lifter. He wont be able to get there in time to be effective. Hey ho!

Haven’t really found any major issues. Some areas need clarification, but that is what will come out of the weekend. Looking forward to it!

Today I am feeling old (it’s my birthday), but also rather pleased that in December, there will be a little ref within the community.

Refblog is going to be a daddy!

Well, they’ve decided which ones not to go for:

RFU take action over ELVs in interests of youth game by RFU Press Office     RFU Press Release June 2, 2008 The RFU Management Board has carefully considered a recommendation of the RFU Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) Implementation Task Group regarding introduction of some of the ELVs into the youth game in England. The Management Board has approved the recommendation of the ELV Task Group that ELV 2 (shoulders must not be lower than the hips at the maul) and ELV 3 (pulling down the maul) should not be trialled in England at Under 19 level and below until:   • It has been demonstrated to be safe in the adult game; • The results of trials currently taking place in South Africa have been properly analysed by the iRB with specific reference to the safety of pulling down the maul at all rugby played at U19 and below; • Agreement has been reached on the safest method to pull down the maul and appropriate coaching techniques have been developed. • Sufficient time is allowed for the safest method and the appropriate coaching techniques to be communicated to all those involved in rugby at U19 level and below.The RFU will now discuss the issues that may arise with age grade cross-border competitions where other Unions are trialling ELV 2 & 3 with the IRB and affected Unions. However, the interests of young players and the safety concerns expressed by the game will take precedence. RFU Chief Executive Francis Baron OBE said: “We have received a large number of letters from the youth game expressing serious concerns over the introduction of some of the ELVs in the youth game. “It is established practice that Unions can apply variations to the Laws at youth level and many Unions exercise their rights in this respect. The RFU intends to exercise its rights in respect of the ELVs of concern to us and the game in England following discussion with the IRB and other affected Unions.” Ends

Well, a year after it started, my season just ended. Seems like forever ago since I jetted off to Durban for the start of my season.  Now, it’s June 1st and I’m sitting here after a day at HQ, after a great experience at the County Championship Final and the England BaaBaa’s game. Well the first was better than the second.  I was chief clipboard operator for the CCF looking after two benches and a nice man from Sky. It’s a whole new world when the TV people get involved. Everything goes on their times and their systems. You do, what they say. No injury time. No play on the sponsors logo blah blah blah.

I’m going to have 24 hours off before my pre-season kicks in. I already had my 2 weeks off and I’ve set myself a few targets for the summer:

1) To lose a stone

2) To do my first ever 10k.

Never done either (obviously!) so both will be interesting.  Im doing the Great Yorkshire Run on Sept 7th so Im hoping the training Imgoing to be doing will assist with point 1!

Also signed myself up (kind of) for some summer 7s down here in sunny Hampshire so that will help with the improvement in my sprint speed that Id like to work on.

Will keep on blogging over the summer so keep checking back in!

Apologies for going awol recently.  Seems to have had some issues with the domain people. All sorted now. Wish I understood all the technicalities involved in websites and domain names and nameservers or whatever they all are.

Anyway, all seems to be sorted now.

All well out there? Enjoying the off-season?

….. I will mainly be at Twickenham watching the IRB 7s. Naturally I will have my kit in the boot just in case…..

I’m also celebrating my impending brithday with a small groupette of chums. If any of you, dear readers, are going drop me a line.

Have a good weekend

…  well almost!

Sorry for the last two weeks shortage of posts. It’s been one of those busy periods we all go through. The County Champs games have surprised me, I must say. The two games Ive done have been good solid games – albeit last weekend’s affairs turning to a damp squib after 61 mins when we had to go uncontested scrums.

Lesson learnt from my view with the way the situation was dealt with. The heat meant we had water breaks and the 2nd half one was taken up trying to explain to the home side’s coach who didn’t get that we were trying to advise him of the County Cup Regs.  It was 20-21 at the time andthe home side prop was struggling with injury. They had already replaced the other one, but only had another hooker on the bench.  We were trying to explain that the regs said that you had to keep a contested scrum on the second time an FR was required and as they couldn’t the regs could be deemed to have been breached and the Cttee would have to make a call.  As it happens, they lost 31-20 in the end so problems averted.

My Number 1 TJ put it so much clearer than I – must be clearer and confident in the future.  

Apart from that, it  all went well. No controversy, the right sides won and no-one had any problems with yours truly – mission accomplished.

Looking forward to a week off, before the IRB7s at HQ next weekend (spectator!) and the will be Number 4 for the County Champs Final on 1 June. Then 6 weeks off before it all starts again at HQ, hopefully at the Middlesex 7s on 16 August!